Best National Futures Association (NFA) Regulated Brokers 2025
We’ve personally tested and ranked the top brokers regulated by the US National Futures Association (NFA), ensuring high standards of trust and reliability.
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1NinjaTrader is a US-based brokerage regulated for trading futures. It offers three different pricing plans for varied needs and budgets, along with extremely low margins on popular contracts. The company's renowned charting software and trading platform provides extensive customization options and excellent technical analysis features.
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Trust Platform Assets Fees Accounts Research Education Mobile Support 4.0 Plus500 is a reputable broker that began operating in the US in 2021. It is accredited by the CFTC and NFA to provide futures trading on forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and interest rates. The creation of an account on Plus500 takes only 10 minutes, and you need a minimum of $100 to start trading. Its user-friendly web platform makes it a strong choice for US traders. -
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Trust Platform Assets Fees Accounts Research Education Mobile Support 4.4 Established in 1999, FOREX.com is part of StoneX, a global financial services company that serves over a million customers. It's regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia, and other countries. The broker offers a wide range of markets beyond forex and provides competitive pricing on advanced platforms. -
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Trust Platform Assets Fees Accounts Research Education Mobile Support 4.5 OANDA is a well-known company that excels in quick trade executions, low deposit necessities, and impressive charting and trading platform functions. The highly-regarded brand has over 25 years of expertise and is overseen by reliable authorities like the NFA/CFTC. It provides 24/7 support for traders and offers flexible contract sizes with automated trade executions.
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Safety Comparison
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Mobile Trading Comparison
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Comparison for Beginners
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Comparison for Advanced Traders
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Accounts Comparison
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Detailed Rating Comparison
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Fee and Cost Comparison
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Broker Popularity
See how popular the Best National Futures Association (NFA) Regulated Brokers 2025 are in terms of number of clients.
Broker | Popularity |
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NinjaTrader |
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FOREX.com |
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Why Trade With NinjaTrader?
NinjaTrader consistently satisfies active futures traders with its low-cost service and high-quality analysis tools. It offers superior charting features, including hundreds of indicators and over 10 chart types.
Pros
- NinjaTrader is a well-regarded and acclaimed futures broker, approved by the NFA and CFTC.
- Traders can access a free platform and trade simulation capabilities with the unlimited demo.
- You can access thousands of applications and add-ons from developers worldwide for trading.
Cons
- You need to register with partner brokers to trade in securities other than forex and futures.
- Some payment methods require a withdrawal fee.
- The advanced trading tools require an additional fee.
Why Trade With Plus500 US?
Plus500 US is an excellent choice for beginners, offering a user-friendly platform, low trading margins, and access to the Futures Academy to improve trading skills. Its strong tools and reliable service earned it second place in DayTrading.com's 'Best US Broker' award.
Pros
- The account setup, pricing structure, and web platform make futures trading simpler than competitors like NinjaTrader.
- The trading app offers an excellent user interface with an updated design, straightforward layout, and charts optimized for mobile use.
- Plus500 US stands out due to its affordable fees for trading. It offers competitive margins and does not charge for inactivity, live data, routing, or platform usage.
Cons
- Testing showed fast response times for support, but phone aid is not available.
- Plus500 US doesn't include social trading features, unlike platforms such as eToro US. Including this feature may benefit potential traders.
- Plus500 US presently offers about 50 futures for trading, but currently does not provide stocks.
Why Trade With FOREX.com?
FOREX.com is a top-tier brokerage suitable for forex traders of all skill levels. It offers more than 80 currency pairs, has small spreads starting from 0.0 pips, and features low fees. The platform provides powerful charting tools that include over 100 technical indicators and multiple research aids.
Pros
- The Web Trader remains one of the top platforms for budding traders, boasting a sleek design and more than 80 technical indicators for market analysis.
- FOREX.com provides top-tier forex pricing beginning at 0.0 pips. They also offer competitive cashback rebates up to 15% for dedicated traders.
- FOREX.com provides a selection of top trading platforms and additional features. These include Trading Central research, a SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
Cons
- Demo accounts have a limited time duration of 90 days, which may not be sufficient for thoroughly testing trading strategies.
- US clients do not have negative balance protection, so you can potentially owe more than your original account deposit.
- FOREX.com has expanded their trading offerings, but these remain limited to forex and CFDs. Unfortunately, they don't provide options to invest in actual stocks, ETFs, or cryptocurrencies.
Why Trade With OANDA US?
OANDA is a reputable broker for US traders. It offers user-friendly tools for analysis and a simple sign-up process. It is very trustworthy due to heavy regulation.
Pros
- Experienced traders can use top-notch tools like an MT4 premium upgrade and advanced charting from MotiveWave.
- You can start trading as a beginner with no minimum initial deposit required.
- The broker's API provides access to extensive historical data from the past 25 years and rates from over 200 currencies for traders.
Cons
- Few payment options are available and e-wallets are not supported.
- Customer support is not accessible during weekends.
- The trading markets are limited to only forex and cryptocurrencies.
Filters
Understanding NFA-Regulated Trading Brokers in the US
When you’re trading in the US, it’s essential to choose a broker regulated by the National Futures Association (NFA). This organization, compared to a ‘green light’ on brokerlistings.com’s Regulation & Trust Rating, ensures your investments are well-protected.
Overview of the NFA
The NFA, established in 1981, plays a crucial role in the financial markets by:
– Maintaining market fairness.
– Enforcing strict rules for brokers.
– Safeguarding investors.
– Solving disputes.
– Promoting financial knowledge.
Brokers under NFA regulation must meet these high standards, meaning you get greater transparency when trading. If a broker’s actions are harmful to clients or the market’s integrity, the NFA acts quickly.
Top NFA-Regulated Brokers in the US
Our selection of top NFA-regulated brokers ensures that each one is officially registered with the NFA.
How We Choose the Best NFA-Regulated Brokers
To find the best brokers, we:
– Scanned our broker list to spot those claiming NFA approval.
– Confirmed their status using the NFA’s online records.
– Used in-depth testing and over 200 data points to rank these brokers.
Checking Broker Regulation with NFA
It’s easy to check if a broker is NFA-regulated, ensuring you’re using a legitimate platform. Here’s how:
1. Visit the NFA’s ‘Background Affiliation Status Information Center (BASIC)’ on their website.
2. Enter the broker’s name in the search bar.
3. Narrow down your search using criteria like ‘NFA ID,’ ‘Individual,’ or ‘Pool,’ if necessary.
For example, you can verify that a popular broker like FOREX.com is NFA-authorized by following these steps.
Rules for NFA-Regulated Brokers
NFA-regulated brokers follow strict guidelines to ensure fair play, transparency, and customer safety in the markets. Key rules include:
– Risk Disclosure: Clearly explain the risks of trading, especially if using fast-paced strategies.
– Fair Conduct: Avoid making false profit claims and ensure that advertising is truthful.
– Capital Requirements: Maintain minimum financial reserves, which vary by broker type.
– Client Fund Segregation: Keep customer funds separate from company assets.
– Anti-Fraud Measures: Avoid fraudulent practices and misleading promotions.
– Record-Keeping & Reporting: Keep detailed transaction records and regularly report to the NFA.
– Know Your Customer (KYC) & Anti-Money Laundering (AML): Verify customer identities and monitor for suspicious activities, reporting potential money laundering.
– Supervision & Risk Management: Implement effective oversight and risk policies.
– Leverage Limits: Restrict leverage to reasonable levels to prevent excessive risk.
– Dispute Resolution: Engage in fair processes like arbitration for resolving disputes.
Brokers not following these rules may face penalties, including fines or loss of their license. For instance, StoneX was fined $100,000 for improper risk management, while Trinity Trading Group faced penalties for not keeping proper records and misleading promotions.
The NFA works independently, focusing on futures, commodities, and forex, and ensures all brokers in these areas follow the latest rules.
Conclusion
Choosing an NFA-authorized broker if you’re a trader in the US is a smart move. The NFA ensures all market participants operate fairly and clearly, safeguarding your trades.
You can easily verify a broker’s NFA regulation status on their website. Additionally, explore our list of the best trading platforms regulated by the NFA.
Remember, while regulation provides security, trading involves risks, including potential losses of your investment dollars.